COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Commissioner Bud Selig, who was presented a comprehensive study of expanded instant replay, could announce as early as Thursday whether Major League Baseball is prepared to implement all-encompassing replay for the 2014 season.

Selig, along with baseball’s executive council, formally was briefed on replay Wednesday by MLB vice president Joe Torre, Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz and adviser Tony La Russa.

“It was very thoughtful and well done,” Selig said.

When asked whether he was ready to make a formal announcement, Selig said, “Let’s just wait until (Thursday). There will be a very thorough briefing.”

The replay presentation will be conducted Thursday in front of all 30 ownership groups. The owners must approve expanded instant replay by a 75-percent vote. The expansion then would have to be negotiated between the MLB Players Association and the umpires union.

“I’m always encouraged,” Torre said.

If the owners approve expanded instant replay, costing $25 million to $40 million in start-up fees, there doesn’t appear to be any major stumbling blocks in negotiations.

“My sense is that players will be willing to expand replay, to every base, if we have the right technology,” union executive director Michael Weiner told USA TODAY Sports. “Nobody is interested in (replaying) balls or strikes, but I think the players are in favor of everything else, and I think the owners likely do as well.”

Joe West, president of the World Umpires Association, did not want to talk publicly about negotiations but said Tuesday, “This group of umpires today are more conscientious of getting things correct than ever before. Umpires want everything they can to help them.”

Baseball has instant replay for only boundary calls on home runs, but this historical proposal could encompass replay in every phase except for the strike zone.

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